April 4, 1898, marked the beginning of an era that would change Dozier’s Corner forever when Jane and John Munden deeded a parcel of land with a small house for the purpose of glorifying the Lord. This parcel of land became the home of Galilee Christian Church. The small house was initially used for worship services; however, in 1906, the first church building was constructed.
The white, wood frame structure, heated by a pot-belly stove, with only outside plumbing, and distinguished by a tall steeple and a large bell, which was used to summon members to worship, was physically built by its founding Pastor, the Reverend Willis Lynn.
The Reverend Lynn’s tenure as Pastor ended in 1932 and God sent the Reverend James W. Washington to continue to lead His flock. The torch was passed on to the Reverend John Arthur Ferebee in 1944. Under the Reverend Ferebee’s ministry, the church’s membership continued to flourish. A builder by trade and a Pastor by God’s divine calling, Reverend Ferebee made many physical changes to the appearance of the wooden structure, and the congregation agreed to change the name to Galilee Baptist Church.
Reverend Ferebee retired in 1980 after 36 years of devoted service, and the Reverend C. L. Felton was chosen as Pastor-Elect and was installed as Pastor on January 4, 1981. With continued increase in membership, more improvements were made for the church structure; the addition of a fellowship hall, and other changes and the name was changed to New Galilee Baptist Church. Reverend C. L. Felton resigned in 1984.
On August 29, 1985, the members elected Reverend Anderson O. Foreman, Jr. He became Pastor-Elect on September 8,1985 and was installed as Pastor on December 8, 1985. Mrs. Rosa Alexander sold the adjacent property at the corner of Great Bridge Boulevard and Route 464 to the church in 1986 and the members began fundraising to construct a new home on that property. The installation of the Baptismal Pool occurred during Reverend Anderson O. Foreman Jr’s tenure after 1987.
The church began construction of the 1013 Great Bridge Boulevard edifice in the early 90’s. Not without some challenges in construction of the roof collapsed; it took a year to get back on track. Through God’s blessings the church was completed and dedicated on Sunday, May 2, 1999. Due to the City of Chesapeake purchasing the location for the expansion of Dominion Boulevard, the last service at this location was held on Sunday, June 27, 2013.
The church new location at 1765 South Military Highway was a former car dealership and had to be transformed into a worship center. While waiting for the renovation of the permanent sanctuary to be completed, we held temporary worship services in the Reverend A.O. Foreman, Jr. and First Lady L.G. Foreman Multi-Purpose Room starting Sunday, July 1, 2013. On Saturday, November 16, 2013, the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held followed by the preached word by Reverend Dr. Olleo L. Cromwell, II of Trinity Baptist Church Faith Diamond, Chesapeake, Virginia. Our Dedication Worship Services was continued on Sunday, November 17, 2013, at 11 a.m.
With all the favor that God has shown us, we realized that He had a mission for us. Therefore, we are now known as New Galilee Missionary Baptist Church.
Our church mission encompasses “…The ability and opportunity to build the Kingdom of God through Jesus Christ…” as well as teachings of Galatians 6:9 as we provide “Service Above Self.” To this end, our Pastor has planned and continues to plan workshops and conferences to assure an understanding and implementation of this mission.
New Galilee has always served as a beacon in the community, and we believe that God has given us yet another location to let that light shine and praise Him as written in Psalm 100.
This commemorative note is a collection of New Galilee Missionary Baptist Church’s history which was compiled from Circuit Court documents, State Library records and the recollection of former and current members.
As with many African American congregations, church minutes, photographs, newspaper, clippings, and other church records are not always filed with courts that are responsible for officially documenting history.
The church began construction of the 1013 Great Bridge Boulevard edifice in the early 90’s. Not without some challenges in construction of the roof collapsed; it took a year to get back on track. Through God’s blessings the church was completed and dedicated on Sunday, May 2, 1999. Due to the City of Chesapeake purchasing the location for the expansion of Dominion Boulevard, the last service at this location was held on Sunday, June 27, 2013.
The church new location at 1765 South Military Highway was a former car dealership and had to be transformed into a worship center. While waiting for the renovation of the permanent sanctuary to be completed, we held temporary worship services in the Reverend A.O. Foreman, Jr. and First Lady L.G. Foreman Multi-Purpose Room starting Sunday, July 1, 2013. On Saturday, November 16, 2013, the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held followed by the preached word by Reverend Dr. Olleo L. Cromwell, II of Trinity Baptist Church Faith Diamond, Chesapeake, Virginia. Our Dedication Worship Services was continued on Sunday, November 17, 2013, at 11 a.m.
With all the favor that God has shown us, we realized that He had a mission for us. Therefore, we are now known as New Galilee Missionary Baptist Church.
Our church mission encompasses “…The ability and opportunity to build the Kingdom of God through Jesus Christ…” as well as teachings of Galatians 6:9 as we provide “Service Above Self.” To this end, our Pastor has planned and continues to plan workshops and conferences to assure an understanding and implementation of this mission.
New Galilee has always served as a beacon in the community, and we believe that God has given us yet another location to let that light shine and praise Him as written in Psalm 100.
This commemorative note is a collection of New Galilee Missionary Baptist Church’s history which was compiled from Circuit Court documents, State Library records and the recollection of former and current members.
As with many African American congregations, church minutes, photographs, newspaper, clippings, and other church records are not always filed with courts that are responsible for officially documenting history.